I feel like the Red Sox are a little busy at the moment w/ trying to win the Pennant and possibly a World Series title and all. So International signings don't follow the same rules like having to wait until the WS is over I take it? If thats the case, that needs to change.

The White Sox will sign Cuban first baseman Jose Dariel Abreu for six years and $68MM, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports (on Twitter). The deal is pending a physical. Abreu is represented by Praver Shapiro Sports Management.

The Red Sox, Astros, Rangers, Marlins and Giants all reportedly showed interest in Abreu. The White Sox, however, were able to lure him with a contract that's the biggest ever for an international free agent. The contract easily tops the seven-year, $42MM contract Yasiel Puig received from the Dodgers last year.

Abreu, 26, posted video-game-like numbers in Cuba's Serie Nacional, and his power is very highly regarded. Athletics assistant GM David Forst, for example, favorably compared Abreu toRyan Howard. Some experts have had concerns about Abreu's bat speed, however, and many have been critical of his athleticism and defense. Tim Dierkes' free agent profilepredicted Abreu would get six years and $54MM.

In the short term, the signing should help the White Sox generate fan excitement after a miserable 99-loss season in 2013. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn shared the first base position for the White Sox last season, and both struggled. Konerko is now a free agent, and it's unclear whether he will return next year. If he does, he could get at bats at designated hitter. The White Sox still owe Dunn $15MM for 2014.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal originally reported (also via Twitter) that Abreu would sign for six years and $68MM, and that the White Sox were the likely team.

It looks like they were in a huge hurry to sign. Were the Redsox going to sign him and upset Napoli during the playoffs? I don't think so. It's too bad we let this one pass. I think we would have benefited from his RH bat.

Red Sox should have told Abreau's reps that they would like to wait until the post season is over before going in hard for him. If another 12-14 milion over the life of the deal is a hang up I would think they would make most of that up in merchandise sales if indeed he is the real deal. He may need to spend a few months in AAA before the bigs as well. If the Sox want Naps around next year he would likely play some first and platoon with Ortiz at DH.